Overweight

Nation?

America’s obesity is threatening national security, according to this study

It’s well known at this point that just under 30 percent of Americans ages 17 to 24 ― the prime age to join the Army ― aren’t eligible to join. 

But beyond that, almost a third of those who sit down with a recruiter to take the first steps are immediately disqualified. 

Why? Because of their weight. 

“Out of all the reasons that we have future soldiers disqualify, the largest – 31 percent ― is obesity,” Maj. Gen. Frank Muth, head of Army Recruiting Command, said Wednesday at AUSA’s annual meeting in Washington, D.C. 

Researchers found that of the 29 percent of young Americans who have a high school diploma, no criminal record and no chronic medical issues, just 17 percent would be qualified and available for active duty, and 13 percent would qualify, be available, and achieve a satisfactory score on the Armed Forces Qualification Test. 

“These numbers are particularly concerning because as the recruitable population has declined, so has interest in serving in the military,” the study found.

 DYI